The training program is spread over a four year period where each year is divided into three learning segments. Each learning segment is between 10-15 days. At the end of the second year there is a "practicum" in Awareness through Movement and students are given a provisional certificate for the teaching of Awareness through Movement. During the fourth year there is a "practicum" conducted in Functional Integration and students who qualify are granted an internationally recognized diploma as a practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method both in Awareness through Movement and Functional Integration

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The Feldenkrais Method was developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904 - 1984), physicist, engineer, martial artist, educator and researcher. The method is a unique and revolutionary approach to the understanding of human learning, movement, and function. Its focus is on the practical development of one's own individual potential and ability. The Feldenkrais Method is practiced by using two techniques: Awareness through Movement and Functional Integration.

In Awareness through Movement (ATM) the teacher leads a group of people through verbally guided movement lessons. The movements are done at one's own pace with enough time to explore individually for one's own understanding and comfort.

The effects of the lessons are profound and give an increased sense of well-being and spontaneity. People learn to improve the way they organize themselves for action. These lessons cover a wide range of human movement; from infant development to high level performance abilities.

Functional Integration (FI) is an individualized, hands-on, mostly non verbal, one to one learning process. The student is guided by the practitioner through sequences of movements which bring the student to learn a more efficient use of him/her- self in daily life. The touch is non-invasive, sensitive, and precise.

The Training Program:

The Feldenkrais Training Program is an intensive educational process in the fundamental techniques and theoretical concepts of the method. This is done through an in-depth exploration of our ways of moving, feeling, sensing, and thinking using Awareness through Movement lessons and Functional Integration processes.

The design and main objectives of this training program are to graduate skilled and competent practitioners of the Feldenkrais Method. The ability of each student will be furthered in a noncompetitive way. A highly supportive environment is developed so that optimal conditions will prevail for one's own personal exploration and experience.

The training program develops personal competencies for practicing and understanding the method. The necessary skills for leading Awareness through Movement groups and practicing hands-on Functional Integration are taught. You will experience hundreds of Awareness through Movement lessons. To support your experience and enhance your professional development you will learn observational skills, ways to improve your own sensitivity and awareness, didactic skills and the ability to articulate your own learning and understanding. Qualities of using one's hands in a feeling and clear technical manner are developed through personal supervision.

Materials:

The training program is based on the educational materials developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. During the entire training program students are introduced to the original materials of Dr. Feldenkrais, both used in training programs and with the general public; this includes written, recorded and video materials.

We recommend students to read the published books by Dr. Feldenkrais as well as materials which have relevance to the topics being learned.

A recommended reading list will be handed out to students as well as a list of suggested professional materials worth purchasing during the course of the training program.

Faculty will bring in guest lecturers who are leaders in their field to enrich the experience of the students.

The First Year:

During the first year of the training students become acquainted with all aspects of the method. Awareness through Movement lessons are done in great depth, the foundations for Functional Integration are set and lectures are given on theoretical aspects of the method. Awareness is developed in new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. Through self-observation and observing others the ability to sense the movements of the body is refined and an understanding is formed of the human learning process.

The Second Year

One of the main themes of study during the second year of the training program is the learning of the pedagogical aspects of teaching Awareness through Movement through structural analysis of lessons, including the lessons' functional logic and the principles and theories of learning. During the course of the second year a wide variety of lessons are experienced and learned which explain the principles of the method by which it is then possible to build and create lessons for specific groups and purposes. The distinctions are made for giving lessons to various populations and students learn how to prepare a lesson plan both for workshops and for long term groups around specific themes. There is continuos supervision for learning how to teach and at the end of the second year there is a "practicum" in Awareness through Movement during which students are personally supervised and given feedback about his/her performance, teaching skill, and understanding in Awareness through Movement. At the successful completion of the ATM "practicum" students are given permission to teach Awareness through Movement.

The learning of Functional Integration is continued during the second year in greater depth and dimension. By the end of the second year, students will have the practical skill to use basic functional positions in which Functional Integration is given.

The Third Year

The third year focuses on evolving further skills for Functional Integration. The students learn to develop a series of Functional Integration lessons based on principles and clearly defined functional patterns and topics. The ability and understanding of how to transfer functional ideas from Awareness through Movement to Functional Integration is demonstrated, learned, and practiced.

People from the public come to the training so that students can observe Functional Integration lessons given by the educational staff to individuals with very specific functional needs, difficulties, and learning problems. During the third year video lessons of Dr. Feldenkrais working with children and adults are shown and discussed. Awareness through Movement lessons of greater complexity are included in the program.